Jaz-O
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Burks better known by his stage name Jaz-O, is an American
rapper and record producer
active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, best known for being the mentor of Jay-Z
. Jaz is also known as the Originator and had a song called "The Originators" that featured a young Jay-Z in 1990. As The Jaz, he had success with his 1989 single "Hawaiian Sophie" from his debut album Word to the Jaz. He has been featured on some of Jay-Z's songs, (such as "Bring it On" from Reasonable Doubt
), "Ain't No Nigga
", and the single "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" from Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, where he was credited as Big Jaz. He also produced the single "Ain't No Nigga" from Reasonable Doubt and the song "Rap Game/Crack Game" from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
. The album "Kingz Kounty (2002) - with The Immobilarie Present" marked the last time Jay-Z and mentor JazO would ever collaborate with each other.
In 1989 JazO blasted onto the video scene with his first major debut single, “Hawaiian Sophie” and a debut feature on The O’Jays number one single “Have you had your love today?”. JazO was the first rap artist signed to EMI Records. He released 2 albums and an EP from 1989-1991. During this time Jaz produced his own songs along with Prince Paul, The Large Professor, The 45 King and others. After taking a hiatus in 1992, JazO re-emerged producing the classic “Ain’t No Nigga” for Jay Z in 1996. Jaz continued his string of production classics for Jay Z including “In My Lifetime” the remix, “Rap Game, Crack Game” and featured on his cuts “Bring It On” and “Jigga Who? Jigga What?”. From that period to date, Jaz has accumulated volumes of songs of his own to be released in 2006 titled JazO: THE LEGACY (Kingz Kounty Entertainment/Red Line Music Distribution, Inc.) Being the producer of the demo that got The Lox their deal with Bad Boy in ’96, JazO has blessed the likes of Rakim, M.O.P., Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Kool G Rap and numerous others. But Jaz is most well known for his ‘triplet style’ of rhyming which he is majestically titled “The Originator”. JazO currently has a new single “Be There” which will be followed up with a similarly titled DVD documentary “JAZ-O: Be There”.
The long standing feud between him and Jay-Z started when Jay-Z started Roc-A-Fella records and he tried to convince Jaz-O and fellow rapper Sauce Money
to sign with the label. They both refused. It is rumored that they didn't trust Roc-A-Fella records CEOs Damon Dash
and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Jay-Z wanted to show his friend and mentor some love and respect by getting him onto a potentially successful record label. Jay-Z confirms this event on the song "What We Talkin' About" on the Blueprint 3 album when he says "Dame made millions, even Jaz made some scraps, he could've made more but he ain't sign his contract." Jay-Z also took shots at Jaz-O on The Black Album
track "December 4th" saying, "Plus I hit my momma with cash from a show that I had, supposedly knowin nobody paid Jaz wack ass." Jaz-O also claims that Jay-Z got his name from Jaz, which Jay-Z denies.
Jaz was an important figure in the Nas vs. Jay-Z feud. It is also speculated that Jaz-O supplied Nas
with some of the information he used in his Jay-Z diss track
"Ether". After the situation with Nas cooled down, Jay-Z went on to diss Jaz first on a track released by DJ Kay Slay featuring Freeway
, Geda K, Young Chris
, and Memphis Bleek
Called "Fuck Jaz-O AKA Jaz Ho" and later on his album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse. Jay-Z said on the title track, "I'ma let karma
catch up to Jaz-O." Jaz responded with a record on a DJ Kay Slay mix tape called "It's Ova."
Despite the long standing feud between mentor and protege, Jay-Z still gives Jaz-O credit for his success (although he disses him at the same time) as heard in the song "I Do It For Hip Hop" on Ludacris
' Theater of the Mind
album. Jay-Z says "Shout out to Grand Master Flash and to Caz
and even Jaz bum ass'.
Jaz-O soon released a diss track aimed to Jay-Z for the "I Do It For Hip Hop" diss named 'Go Harder' released in early 2009.
In late August 2009, Jaz-O was featured on another song dissing Jay-Z called, "Gangstas Ride" with West Coast rapper, The Game
. The song was fueled by the recent beef between The Game and Jay-Z.
Besides being an emcee, he has produced songs for several hip hop artists other than Jay-Z, such as Group Home
, M.O.P, Ras Kass
, Rakim
, and others.
Collaboration albums
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, best known for being the mentor of Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
. Jaz is also known as the Originator and had a song called "The Originators" that featured a young Jay-Z in 1990. As The Jaz, he had success with his 1989 single "Hawaiian Sophie" from his debut album Word to the Jaz. He has been featured on some of Jay-Z's songs, (such as "Bring it On" from Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt is the debut album of American rapper Jay-Z, released June 25, 1996 on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States and on Northwestside Records in the United Kingdom. The album features production by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and guest appearances from Memphis Bleek,...
), "Ain't No Nigga
Ain't No Nigga
"Ain't No Nigga" is the second single from rapper Jay-Z's debut album Reasonable Doubt . It features a long verse of rapping from a then 16-year old Foxy Brown.-Background:...
", and the single "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)" from Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, where he was credited as Big Jaz. He also produced the single "Ain't No Nigga" from Reasonable Doubt and the song "Rap Game/Crack Game" from In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released November 4, 1997 on Roc-A-Fella Records. Despite mixed criticism towards its more mainstream-oriented sound and lyrical substance, the album debuted at number 3 on the U.S...
. The album "Kingz Kounty (2002) - with The Immobilarie Present" marked the last time Jay-Z and mentor JazO would ever collaborate with each other.
In 1989 JazO blasted onto the video scene with his first major debut single, “Hawaiian Sophie” and a debut feature on The O’Jays number one single “Have you had your love today?”. JazO was the first rap artist signed to EMI Records. He released 2 albums and an EP from 1989-1991. During this time Jaz produced his own songs along with Prince Paul, The Large Professor, The 45 King and others. After taking a hiatus in 1992, JazO re-emerged producing the classic “Ain’t No Nigga” for Jay Z in 1996. Jaz continued his string of production classics for Jay Z including “In My Lifetime” the remix, “Rap Game, Crack Game” and featured on his cuts “Bring It On” and “Jigga Who? Jigga What?”. From that period to date, Jaz has accumulated volumes of songs of his own to be released in 2006 titled JazO: THE LEGACY (Kingz Kounty Entertainment/Red Line Music Distribution, Inc.) Being the producer of the demo that got The Lox their deal with Bad Boy in ’96, JazO has blessed the likes of Rakim, M.O.P., Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Kool G Rap and numerous others. But Jaz is most well known for his ‘triplet style’ of rhyming which he is majestically titled “The Originator”. JazO currently has a new single “Be There” which will be followed up with a similarly titled DVD documentary “JAZ-O: Be There”.
The long standing feud between him and Jay-Z started when Jay-Z started Roc-A-Fella records and he tried to convince Jaz-O and fellow rapper Sauce Money
Sauce Money
Sauce Money is a rapper who worked with Jay-Z in his early career and was featured on Big Daddy Kane's album Daddy's Home on the track "Show N' Prove" alongside Scoob Lover, Shyheim, Jay-Z, and Ol' Dirty Bastard...
to sign with the label. They both refused. It is rumored that they didn't trust Roc-A-Fella records CEOs Damon Dash
Damon Dash
__NOINDEX__...
and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Jay-Z wanted to show his friend and mentor some love and respect by getting him onto a potentially successful record label. Jay-Z confirms this event on the song "What We Talkin' About" on the Blueprint 3 album when he says "Dame made millions, even Jaz made some scraps, he could've made more but he ain't sign his contract." Jay-Z also took shots at Jaz-O on The Black Album
The Black Album
The Black Album may refer to:*Planxty or The Black Album, an album by Planxty*NEU! '75 or The Black Album, an album by Neu!*The Black Album *The Black Album...
track "December 4th" saying, "Plus I hit my momma with cash from a show that I had, supposedly knowin nobody paid Jaz wack ass." Jaz-O also claims that Jay-Z got his name from Jaz, which Jay-Z denies.
Jaz was an important figure in the Nas vs. Jay-Z feud. It is also speculated that Jaz-O supplied Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
with some of the information he used in his Jay-Z diss track
Diss track
A diss track or diss song is a song primarily intended to disparage or insult another person or group. While musical parodies and attacks have always existed, the trend became increasingly common in the hip hop genre as part of the hip hop rivalry phenomenon...
"Ether". After the situation with Nas cooled down, Jay-Z went on to diss Jaz first on a track released by DJ Kay Slay featuring Freeway
Freeway (rapper)
Leslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
, Geda K, Young Chris
Young Gunz
The Young Gunz is an American rap duo from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania composed of Young Chris and Neef Buck . The group is part of Beanie Sigel's State Property collective and was signed to Roc-A-Fella Records...
, and Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
Called "Fuck Jaz-O AKA Jaz Ho" and later on his album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse. Jay-Z said on the title track, "I'ma let karma
Karma
Karma in Indian religions is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies....
catch up to Jaz-O." Jaz responded with a record on a DJ Kay Slay mix tape called "It's Ova."
Despite the long standing feud between mentor and protege, Jay-Z still gives Jaz-O credit for his success (although he disses him at the same time) as heard in the song "I Do It For Hip Hop" on Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
' Theater of the Mind
Theater of the Mind
Though the album was well received by music critics, it debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling 214,000 copies in its first week, making it his sixth top 5 album. It was his first album since 2000's Back for the First Time and 2001's Word of Mouf to not reach number one status, and his...
album. Jay-Z says "Shout out to Grand Master Flash and to Caz
Grandmaster Caz
Curtis Fisher , better known by his stage name Grandmaster Caz or Cassanova Fly is an American "Old Skool" rapper, MC, and DJ...
and even Jaz bum ass'.
Jaz-O soon released a diss track aimed to Jay-Z for the "I Do It For Hip Hop" diss named 'Go Harder' released in early 2009.
In late August 2009, Jaz-O was featured on another song dissing Jay-Z called, "Gangstas Ride" with West Coast rapper, The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
. The song was fueled by the recent beef between The Game and Jay-Z.
Besides being an emcee, he has produced songs for several hip hop artists other than Jay-Z, such as Group Home
Group Home
Group Home is a hip hop duo, composed of members Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker . They came to prominence as members of the Gang Starr Foundation. Lil' Dap made his rhyming debut on Gang Starr's 1992 classic Daily Operation on the song "I'm the Man"...
, M.O.P, Ras Kass
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
, Rakim
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
, and others.
Discography
Studio albums- Word to the Jaz (1989)
- To Your Soul (1990)
- Ya Don't Stop (1991)
- The Marksman (2009)
Collaboration albums
- H.P. Gets Busy SP 7" (1986) - with Jay-Z, JoyJoyJoy may refer to:* Happiness, an emotion* Joy , people with the given name or surname Joy-Music:Bands & performers* Joy * Joy Albums* Joy ; also the title track from that album...
and Easy L.B. in short-lived group High Potent - Kingz Kounty (2002) - with The Immobilarie Present